Disabled Persons Parking Bays

Contact traffic@nfdc.gov.uk to request an application form.

NEW FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL

DISABLED PARKING BAYS NEAR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES: GUIDANCE NOTE

1. Disabled Persons' Parking Places (DPPPs) assist those with mobility difficulties who are Blue Badge holders, to park close to their home where off-street parking is unavailable. This guidance note is based on HCC's draft policy and guidance note. It may be subject to amendment in consultation with HCC to address any operation concerns following its adoption in November 2006.

2. To comply with Department for Transport signing regulations a disabled bay marking should be used in conjunction with a Traffic Regulation Order. However it is established practice in Hampshire and elsewhere to provide advisory bays especially in residential areas where there are not other parking restrictions. An advisory bay consists of a marking only and is entirely dependant upon the goodwill of others as it is not enforceable.

3. It is important to realise that areas of the public highway cannot be reserved for an individual, therefore, a DPPP can be used by any disabled badge holder.

4. The following points are considered when assessing applications:

4.1 The applicant should be a disabled badge holder.

4.2. The applicant or the applicant's partner or principal carer should be the driver of the vehicle.

4.3 If the applicant is not the main driver then the applicant's partner or principal carer should live at the address where the disabled space is requested.

4.4 The vehicle should be registered and kept at the applicant's address.

4.5 The applicant should not have off-street parking facilities close by.

4.6 There should be a suitable # on-street parking site nearby (closer than other practical existing alternatives).

# Please refer to advice given by the Department for Transport which identifies unsuitable locations:

5. Disabled parking bays within or near areas covered by existing waiting restrictions will only be provided with a Traffic Regulation Order, following full consultation. In locations where there are already waiting restrictions such as town centre areas the need for new or additional disabled parking provision will be considered initially in consultation with Parish/Town Councils, local County and District Councillors, local disability groups, HCC and Police Traffic Management Officers. If, having considered all the implications, the application is agreed "in principle" the proposals will be investigated in more detail. This will normally be as and when other changes to waiting restrictions are planned for the nearby area.

6. In areas where there are no waiting restrictions nearby consideration will be given to providing an advisory bay provided that:

6.1 The bay is in a suitable location.

6.2 The bay does not extend beyond the applicant's property's road frontage.

6.4 There are no objections from neighbours either side of the applicant's property

Note: As advisory bays rely on the goodwill of neighbours to be effective it is essential that applicants have spoken to their neighbours (especially if the bay would extend beyond the frontage of their property). This is because much aggravation amongst residents can be caused if there is a shortage of parking generally or the bay is unoccupied whilst the user is about their daily activities.

On the application form the applicant is required to accept that an advisory bay relies on the goodwill of other drivers, especially neighbours, to be effective and that neither the Police nor Local Authorities have any powers to restrict parking in advisory bays.

Neighbours will be notified of any application where an advisory DPPP may be provided. Any written responses from neighbours will be forwarded to the consultees referred to above.

7. If 6.1 above does not apply the application shall be rejected. If either 6.2, 6.3 or 6.4 above does not apply then the local County and District Councillors, Representative of local disability group(s), HCC and Police Traffic Management Officers shall be consulted. If they raise no objection the application will be agreed "in principle" and an advisory bay provided as an interim measure. It there are unresolved objections an advisory bay will not be provided and any disabled parking bay will only be considered as part of a wider proposal for waiting restrictions planned for the nearby area. The Town or Parish Council will be informed of the application.

REVIEW OF DPPPs

8. DPPPs may be reviewed to ensure that there is a continued need for the measure. Enquiries may be made to confirm that the Blue Badge has been renewed. If it appears that a legally enforceable DPPP (for example in a Town Centre) is no longer required this will be recorded for future inclusion within a Traffic Regulation Order and the signing and marking removed.